Digital Renaissance Editions

About this text

  • Title: The Whore of Babylon (Quarto, 1607)
  • Editors: Frances E. Dolan, Anna Pruitt

  • Copyright Digital Renaissance Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: Thomas Dekker
    Editors: Frances E. Dolan, Anna Pruitt
    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Whore of Babylon (Quarto, 1607)

    The Whore of Babylon.
    Pallats not you.
    Camp. Yes.
    3. King. Nothing hath pa s s ed me
    I hope, again st my countrey, or the State,
    1070That any you can take hold of.
    Camp. If they could,
    Tis but mine I, to your no.
    3. King. Y'are to sowre:
    Vnmellowed: you stand here in the shade,
    1075Out of the warmth of those ble st ripening beames,---
    Goe to --- I grieue that such a blo s s ome ---
    Camp. Sir, I know you not: this thing which you haue (raiz'd,
    Affrights me: schollers of weake temper need
    To feare (as they on sunbankes lie to read)
    1080Adders i'th highe st gra s s e: these leaues but turn'd,
    Like willow stickes hard rub'd may kindle fire,
    Cities with sparkes as small haue oft beene burn'd.
    3. King. Doe you take me for a hangman?
    Camp. I would be loath,
    1085For any har sh tune that my tongue may warble,
    To haue the in strument vn strung.
    3. King. You shall not:
    Welfare vnto you.
    Camp. And to you. A word Sir:
    1090Bred in this countrey?
    3. King. Yes.
    Camp. I am no bird
    To breake mine own nea st downe: what flight soeuer
    Your words make through this ayre (tho it be trobled)
    1095Myne eare Sir, is no reaching Fowling piece
    What pa s s es through it, kills: you may proceed,
    Perhaps you would wound that, I wi sh should bleed.
    You haue th'aduantage now,
    I put the longe st weapon into your hands.
    1100 3. King. It shall guard you:
    You draw me by this line: let's priuate walke.
    Camp. This paths vnbruz'd: goe on Sir.
    3. King. Sir I loue you.
    The Dragons that keep learnings golden tree,
    As